Police seeking possible child-molestation victims

The truck was described as a full-size, dark-gray pickup, possibly a Toyota, with a raised bed and “4 x 4” in large, red-and-white characters on its right side.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (619) 691-5151 and request the traffic unit, Gonzales said.

The bicyclist was hospitalized and treated for cuts, bruises and a concussion and is recovering at home, said Bobbi Adams, his mother.

Adams said she wanted to thank several motorists who stopped to help.

“I just want to be able to say 'thank you' to whoever stayed with him on the side of the curb, and another person who tried to catch the truck,” Adams said. –M.A.

Father pleads not guilty
to causing boy's death

SAN DIEGO COURTS: A man accused of killing his 2-year-old son pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of murder and assault on a child.

Bennie Harris Jr., 28, was arrested Tuesday at a home in El Cajon. If convicted, he could be sentenced to 55 years to life in prison.

San Diego Superior Court Judge David Szumowski set Harris'bail at $1 million. The judge met with lawyers in chambers before the arraignment, but no details were discussed in open court.

Deputy District Attorney Harrison Kennedy said outside court that Harris has a 2006 robbery conviction from East County, but declined to elaborate.

San Diego police said paramedics were called Feb. 19 to a home on San Diego Mission Road where the child, Bennie Harris III, had stopped breathing. The toddler was taken to a hospital, but died the next day.

Paramedics were suspicious of the boy's injuries and called police. The cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the head, police said. Homicide detectives gathered evidence over the weekend before arresting Harris. –D.L.